Bring it on, Kosgey tells Ocampo

December 16, 2010 12:00 am

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By Capital FM, NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 16 – Cabinet Minister Henry Kosgey who is among the six suspects facing indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has said that he has written to the court giving all required details.

The Industrialisation Minister said on Thursday that he had given his contact details and whereabouts as demanded, and had also confirmed to the ICC his willingness to cooperate fully during the entire investigation period.

"Like most Kenyans, I was deeply shocked and saddened by the 2008 violence. Much as I regret Mr Ocampo’s decision to include me in his list, I welcome the process and I am confident that I will be vindicated in the course of time," Mr Kosgey said.

The Tinderet MP however expressed shock that ICC Prosecutor Louis Moreno- Ocampo had made an application to summon him to The Hague without his side of the story on his alleged role in the planning of the deadly 2008 attacks.

"I am surprised because I have neither received a request (oral or written) to assist the investigations which I would have readily done nor was I given any opportunity to respond to any allegation," he complained.

"I would have been glad to assist with any information that the Prosecutor may have needed but I received no such request," he said.

Mr Kosgey was listed along Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, suspended Minister William Ruto, Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, Former Police Commissioner Major General (Rtd) Hussein Ali and broadcaster Joshua arap Sang as the six people who bear the greatest responsibility for the 2008 chaos.

Mr Kosgey was accused jointly with Mr Ruto of planning violence in Eldoret where thousands of people were evicted from their homes.

The ICC Prosecutor said there were reasonable grounds to believe crimes against humanity were committed during the post election violence.

"Henry Kiprono Kosgey, currently Minister of Industrialisation, ODM Chairman and during the PEV (Post Election Violence) MP for Tinderet. The Prosecution considers that he was one of the principal planners and organisers of crimes against PNU (Party of National Unity) supporters," Mr Ocampo’s statement read in part.